Electric control circuit



y 1944- o. w. LIVINGSTON ELECTRIC CONTROL CIRCUIT Filed April 23, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet l Inventor. Or'rin W Livingston,

- His Attorney.

y 1944- o. w. LIVINGSTON 2,348,553-

ELECTRIC CONTROL CIRCUIT 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 23, 1942 Inventor:

Orr-in .Livingston, b8 7 His Attorneg.

y o. w. LIVINGSTON ELECTRIC CONTROL CIRCUIT Filed April 23, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 0 uu QMM o2 mmi em M W 8 In a Patented May 9, 1944 2,848,553 I ELECTRIC CONTROL ClRCUIT Orrin W. Livingston, Scotia, N. Y., asslgnor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application April 23, 1942, Serial No. 440,159

37 Claims.

My invention relates to electrical control circuits and more particularly to improved circuits for effecting the transfer of energy from an alternating current supply circuit of one frequency to a load circuit of another frequency by means of controlled electric discharge valves. While not limited thereto my invention is particularly adapted for intermittently energizing a load circuit, such as a resistance welding transformer, with trains of low frequency waves.

The use of electric valves for transferring energy from a single phase of a polyphase alternating current supply circuit to a single phase alternating current load circuit of the same frequency has been widely adopted in resistance welding applications. However, single phase loading of polyphase supply circuits, particularly with the intermittent energization of the load as usually employed in welding circuits, subjects the polyphase supply circuits to severe unbalance. The use of commercial frequency, such as sixty cycle alternating current, for energizing the welding transformer is also open to the objection that the inductive reactance of the load circuit is rather high at this frequency. In order to overcome these disadvantages I provide an electric valve frequency changer for interconnecting an alternating current supply circuit and a load circuit and preferably operate it to supply a lower frequency to the load circuit and in this way reduce the inductive reactance thereof. In accordance with the teachings of my invention I provide such a system which embodies means for effecting periodic energization of the load at the lower frequency and which synchronizes the periods of energization and deenergization with the low frequency voltage to minimize transients at the initiation of energization and to insure that complete half cycles of the low frequency current are supplied to the load circuit to prevent saturation of the load transformer. Provision is also made for transmitting lagging power factor current to the load circuit.

It is an object of my invention to provide a new and improved electric control circuit.

It is'another object of my invention to provide a new and improved electric control circuit for effecting periodic energization of a load circuit with alternating current of one frequency from an alternating current supply circuit of another frequency.

It is a further object of my invention to provide an improved electric valve circuit for trans-- ferring energy between an alternating current supply circuit and a load circuit at any power factor.

It is a still further object of my invention to provide an electric valve frequency changer for supplying a load circuit with low frequency alternating current from a higher frequency alternating current supply circuit in which means are provided for adjusting the excitation of the frequency changer with respect to the load circuit to control the magnitude of the load current.

It is still another object of my invention to provide an improved frequency determining circuit for electric valve frequency changers which may readily be controlled to effect intermittent operation of the frequency changer to effect periodic energization of the load circuit.

In accordance with the illustrated embodiments of my invention, a single phase load circuit is connected with a polyphase alternating current supplycircuit by an electric valve frequency changer including two groups of electric discharge valves connected to supply half waves of voltage of opposite polarity to the load circuit. Current of one polarity is supplied to the load circuit through the valves of one group conducting in succession, and current of the opposite polarity is supplied through the valves of the other group conducting in succession. The transfer of current from one group of valves to the other is controlled by an improved circuit which determines the frequency of operation of the frequency changer. The frequency established by the control circuit may readily be adjusted and is synchronized with the alternating current supply circuit to maintain the desired wave shape of the low frequency voltage.

The operation of the frequency determining circuit of the electric valve frequency changer is modified by electronic timing circuits which are utilized to determine the periods at which the frequency changer is operative and inoperative to transfer energy to the load circuit. These electronic circuits are synchronized with the low frequency voltage by means responsive to the frequency established by the frequency determining circuit of the electric valve frequency changer. Means for delaying the transfer of current from one group of valves of the electric valve frequency changer to the other beyond the time established by the frequency determining circuit are provided to permit the flow of lagging power factor current. Certain features of the-control voltage producing circuit including electric valves 59 and 60 and associated restraining valves I39, I40 and I60, l6l are claimed in my divisional application Serial No. 502,834, filed September 17, 1943. Thus, the illustrated embodiment of the invention provides for intermittent energization of a single phase low frequency load circuit from a polyphase alternating current circuit of higher frequency in which transients are eliminated and a considerably better loading of the supply circuit is obtained.

My invention will be better understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and its scope will be pointed out in the appended claims. In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of one embodiment of my invention; Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a modification; Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of another embodiment of my invention which incorporates additional features of control in a circuit similar to the modification of Fig. 1; and Fig. 4 is a detailed view of one of the transformers utilized in the arrangement of Fig. 3.

Referring now to Fig. 1 of the drawings, I have shown my invention embodied in an electric valve translating system and a control circuit therefor for effecting the intermittent energization of a load circuit ID with current of one frequency from an alternating current supply circuit ll of another frequency. As illustrated, the load circuit is the work circuit of a resistance welder and is energized by the secondary winding l2 of a welding transformer l3 having a midtapped primary winding i4. The end terminals of the primary winding i4 are connected respectively with the neutral terminals of the Y-connected secondary windings i3 and i3 of a supply transformer l1, having the primary winding I8 thereof energized from the alternating current supply circuit I i. The midtap of the transformer winding i4 and the phase terminals of the transformer secondary windings l and ii are interconnected by groups of electric discharge valves i3, 23, 2i and 22, 23, 24. The electric valves may be of any of the types well known in the art and, as illus-- trated, each comprises an envelope containing an ionizable medium such as a gas or vapor, and enclosing an anode 25, a cathode 23, an associated heater element 21 and a control member or grid 28. As shown in the drawings, the anodes of valves [3, and 2| comprising one group are connected with the phase terminals of secondary winding i5 and the anodes of valves 22, 23 and 24 comprising the other group are connected with th phase terminals of secondary winding IS. The cathodes of the group comprising valves i3, 23, 2| are connected together by conductor 23 and the cathodes of the group comprising valves 22, 23 and 24 are connected together by conductors 33. The cathodes of the two groups are connected together through the midtapped primary winding 3i of a current transformer 32. The circuit to the primary winding [4 of the welding transformer I2 is completed from the midtap of winding 3i to midtap of winding 14 by conductor 33. The secondary winding 34 of the current transformer 32 is provided for a control function to be described at a later point in the specification.

As is well understood by those skilled in the art, the power circuit thus far described may be controlled so that the groups of valves i3, 23, 2| and 22, 23, 24, conduct alternately, with the valves of each group conducting consecutively and in this way to supply alternating current to the load circuit having a lower frequency than the supply circuit. It will also be understood that the voltage supplied to the load circuit may be controlled by adjusting the phase shifting means. In a welding circuit this provides means for controlling the welding heat. In order to control the moment in the voltage wave of the alternating current supply circuit II that each of the valves is rendered conductive, I provide an excitation circuit including means for impressing an alternating component of voltage of the frequency of the supply circuit on the control members 23. In order to control the transfer of current from one group of valves i3, 23, 2| to the other group 22, 23, 24 and back again at a definite periodicity I provide for producing a second component of control voltage which, in the arrangement illustrated, is a direct current component. This component voltage is also modified to render all of the electric valves nonconductive to determine the periods during which the load circuit is not energized. The alternating current component of excitation voltage is derived from the alternating current supply circuit ii and impressed on the control members 23 by the phase terminals of the Y-connected secondary windings 35 and 33 of excitation transformer 31 having the delta-connected primary winding 33 thereof energized from a phase shifting device 33 which in turn is energized from the alternating current supply circuit Ii. The phase terminals of the secondary windings 35 and 33 are connected respectively with the control members 23 of electric valves Iii-24 through suitable current limiting resistors 43. The control member-to-cathode circuit of electric valves I3, 20 and 2| is completed from the neutral terminal 4| of secondary winding 35 of the excitation'transformer thmugh conductor 42, resistor 43, resistor 44, the lefthand portion of resistor 45, a portion of a voltage dividing resistor 43, conductor 41, half the primary winding 3| of current transformer 32, to the cathode conductor 29 of the electric valves i3, 20, 2|. In a similar manner the control member-to-cathode circuit of the electric valves 22, 23 and 24 is completed from the neutral terminal 48 of the secondary winding 33 of the excitation transformer through a conductor 49, resistor 53, resistor 5|, the right-hand portion of the resistor 45, a portion of the voltage dividing resistor 43, conductor 41, half the primary winding 3i oi transformer 32, to conductor 33.

From the foregoing description, it is apparent that the excitation circuit of valves i3, 20, 2| includes in series resistors 43, 44, a part of resistor and a portion of voltage dividing resistor 43, and likewise that the excitation circuit of valves 22, 23, 24 includes in series resistors 50, II, a part of resistor 45 and a portion of voltage dividing resistor 46. In accordance with important features of the present invention, the voltages across these resistors are controlled to determine the frequency and the periods of energization and deenergization of the load circuit as well as to permit lagging power current to flow to the welding circuit. A source of direct current control voltage for energizing these resistors is impressed on conductors 52 and 53. In the arrange- In order that the electric valve system. including the groups of valves i9, 26, 2| and 22, 23, 24, operate as a frequency changer it is necessary periodically to render one of the groups nonconductive for a period equal to one half-cycle of the frequency of the load circuit. In the illustrated embodiment oi the invention this is accomplished by means of an electronic oscillator and specifically an electric valve inverter of the parallel type having the valves connected with respect to the source of direct current control voltage and the resistors in the excitation circuit of the groups of valves i9, 26, 2| and 22, 23, 24 alternately to impress a negative voltage in the neutral connection of the excitation transformer secondaries 35 and 36, respectively, at the frequency of operation of the inverter.

Referring now to the drawings the inverter comprises electric discharge valves 59 and 66 preferably of the type employing an ionizable medium, such as a gas or vapor, and each comprises an anode 6|, a cathode 62 and a control member or grid 63. The cathodes of valves 59 and 66 are connected together by a conductor 64 and to the negative side of the direct current control voltage supply 53 through a resistor 65. A resistor 65a is connected in series with resistor 46 and the two connected across the direct current lines 52, 53. The anode 6| of valve 59 is connected to the common terminal 66 of resistors 43 and 44 and the anode of electric valve 66 is connected with the common terminal 61 of resistance elements 56 and Since the midpoint of resistor 45 is connected with the positive side of the direct current control voltage 52 it will be seen that thiscircuit provides a parallel inverter energized from the source 52, 53 in which the anode circuit of one or the discharge paths of the inverter includes resistor 44 and half of resistor 45 which are also in the neutral connection of the excitation transformer secondary associated with the group of electric valves i9, 26, 2|, while the anode-cathode circuit of the other discharge path of the parallel inverter includes the resistance element 5| and the righthand portion of resistance element which are also in series in the neutral connection of the excitation transformer secondary winding 36 astime that the control member of the other valve is energized to render the associated valve con- I ducting. The control member 63 of electric valve 59 is completed to the cathode onductor 64 soeiated with valves 22, 23, 24. From an inspection of the circuit Just described, it is apparent that when valve 59 is conducting the terminal 66 will be brought to substantially the voltage of conductor 64 which is negative with respect to conductor 52 and in this waya negative bias is impressed on the neutral of transformer secondary winding 35 by resistor 44 and a portion of resistor 45. This bias has a magnitude sufficient to overcome the positive bias inserted in the circuit by the voltage divider 46 and the periodic voltage of winding 35 and thereby render the group of valves i9, 26, 2| nonconducting. When the valve 66 is rendered conductive the terminal 61 is brought to substantially the potential of the conductor 64 and the group of valves 22, 23, 24 are rendered nonconductive. In order to render valves 59 and 66 alternately conductive thereby to render the groups of valves i9, 26, 2|, and 22, 23, 24 alternately conducting and nonconducting to determine the frequency of the voltage supplied to the transformer i4 a resistorcapacitor circuit is associated with each of the control members 63 of valves 59 and 66 and a commutating condenser 68 is connected between the terminals 66 and 61 to render the anode of one of the valves negative momentarily at the through a resistor 13 and a portion or voltage dividing resistor 14 which is in series with resistor 65 across direct current source 52, 53. Similarly, a circuit from the control member 63 of the valve 66 is completed to the conductor 64 through a resistor 15 and a portion of the voltage dividing resistor 14.

The operation of the condenser resistor circuit for determining the frequency of operation or the inverter comprising electric valves 59 and 66 will now be briefly described. Assuming that valve 59 has started to conduct, current will flow from the terminal 61 through condenser 69, resistor 16, through the control member to, the cathode circuit to the negative line of the direct current control voltage source. This charges the condenser 69 so that the terminal thereof electrically nearer the control member of the valve 59 is more negative. During the time that valve 59 is conducting the condenser 1| discharges through a circuit including the anode-cathode circuit of valve 59, conductor 64, and a portion of voltage dividing resistor 14. The time rcquired for the condenser ii to discharge sufficiently to render the control member 63 of valve 66 more positive than the critical voltage may be adjusted by varying the position of the slider on the voltage dividing resistor 14. At the time the control member of valve 66 becomes more positive than the critical voltage, current is transferred from valve 59 to valve 66 with the aid of the commutating capacitor 68 which has been charged during the conducting period of valve 59 to render the anode thereof temporarily negative. When the valve 66 is conducting and condenser 1| is charged so that the control member of valve 66 is rendered negative and condenser 69 is discharging through a circuit ineluding resistor 16, resistor 13, a portion of voltage dividing resistor 14, the anode-cathode circuit of electric valve 60 so that after a predeterminedtime the control member of valve 59 will again be rendered more positive than the critical voltage and with the aid of commutating condenser 66current will be commutated from valve 66 to valve 59. From the above description it is seen that the frequency of operation of the inverter is controlled by the constants of the discharge circuits for the capacitors 69 and 1|. By making the constants of these two'circuits equal the periods of conduction of valves 59 and 66 are equal and the electric valve frequency changer including the groups of valves i9, 26, 2| and 22, 23, 24 operates to produce successive half cycles of equal duration.

While the resistance capacitance timing of the inverter may be made relatively accurate, I provide means for synchronizing the operation of the inverter with the voltage of the alternating current supply circuit in order to prevent drifting of the inverter with respect to the alternating current supply circuit ii and in this way maintain the desired wave shape of voltage on the load circuit. In the arrangement illustrated this means for synchronizing the operation of the inverter comprises means for impressing periodic voltages of peaked wave form on resistors and 12 associated with the control member 63 of valves 59 and 69, respectively. The synchronizing voltages are obtained from a network of resistors, capacitors and cold cathode discharge devices of the type commonly referred to as glow tubes.

Referring to the drawings, resistors 16. i1 and i8 and capacitors I9, and 8i are connected to provide a three-phase Y-connected network with each phase including in series a resistor and a capacitor. One terminal of each of the capacitors i9, 80 and iii are connected together to provide a neutral terminal 82, the voltage of which with respect to the output of the phase shifting device 39 is established by Y-connected impedance elements such as resistors 82a. -The discharge devices 82 are connected in a three-phase Y having one electrode of each device connected to a neutral connection 83a and the other terminal of each device connected respectively to the common terminal of the resistor and capacitor of each of the phases of the Y-connected network oi. series resistors and capacitors. Connected across the neutral terminals 82 and 83a are the primary windings 94 and 85 of transformer devices 86 and 81, respectively. Secondary winding 88 of transformer 86 is connected across the resistor 10 in circuit with the control member 63 of electric valve 59. A capacitor 89 is connected in series with the secondary to offer high impedance to the flow of direct current through the transformer secondary winding 88. Similarly, the secondary winding 90 of transformer 81 is connected across the resistor 12 of electric valve 60 and a capacitor 9| is connected in series therewith to offer a high impedance to the flow of direct current through the transformer winding. From the drawings it is seen that this network provides three parallel circuits across the terminals of the primary windings 8s and 85 with each circuit including in series a glow tube and capacitor. The breakdown of any glow tube permits the flow of cur rent through the transformer primary winding. The capacitors 19, 80 and 8! are charged from the alternating current supply circuit ll through resistances 16, i1 and 18, respectively, and when any one of the capacitors has charged to a voltage corresponding to the breakdown voltage of the associated glow tube a voltage is suddenly im pressed on the transformer windings which is equal to the difference between the breakdown voltage and the voltage of conduction of the glow tube. The condenser resistor circuit and the characteristics of the glow tube are so correlated that the glow tube breaks down at a predetermined point in each half cycle of voltage in the alternating current supply circuit il. While it is possible to adjust the instant of breakdown of device 83, by varying the magnitude of resistors 16, i1, 18 or capacitors I9, 89, 8|, it has been found desirable to energize the network from the supply circuit ii through phase shifter 39 which also energizes transformer 31. Thus it is apparent that one of the glow tubes breaks down every sixty electrical degrees with respect to the voltage of the alternating current circuit I i and that voltage peaks are produced in transformers 96' and 81 every sixty electrical degrees. The sec ondary windings 88 and 90 are connected with resistors 10 and '12, respectively, so that the peaks impressed on the control members of electric valves 59 and Bil at any instant are of opposite polarity. Circuits for producing voltages of 7s peaked wave form and adjustable phase of the type just described forms the subject matter of my application Serial No. 440,157, filed concurrently herewith, and assigned to the same assignee as the present invention. As applied to the system of the present invention these peaked voltages are utilized to synchronize the operation of the inverter comprising valves 59 and 60 with the alternating current supply circuit II. This is accomplished by correlating the magnitude of the voltage peaks with the voltage impressed on the control members 63 of valves 59 and 60 by condensers 89 and -ii so that the resultant voltage exceeds the critical voltage at the desired instant.

From the standpoint of symmetrical wave shape in the load circuit it has been found desirable to operate the frequency changer so that the load frequency where Fe is the frequency of the supply, N is an integer and P is the number of phases of each of the supply transformer secondaries. If Fe is sixty cycles, N is two, and P is three as it is in the illustrated embodiment, F5; is 25% cycles. One half cycle of the load frequency then extends over a period of 420 electrical degrees with respect to a sixty cycle base. When operating on this basis it is desired that current be transferred from tube 59 to tube 60, or vice versa, every 420 electrical degrees. Since the peaked voltages impressed on resistors 10 and 1! occur every sixty electrical de rees it is necessary for synchronous operation 6 choose the circuit constants of the elements in circuit with control members 63 so that the voltage of the control member of the tube which is to be rendered conductive comes near enough to the critical voltage at the end of the 420 degree interval that the voltage of peaked wave form is sufficient in magnitude to render the valve conductive.

The system thus far described provides for the transformation of alternating current voltage of the frequency of the supply circuit I i to voltage of another frequency which is impressed on the transformer l3, the frequency being determined by the inverter comprising tubes 59 and 60 and the load voltage being synchronized with the supply circuit I l by means of peaked voltages impressed on the control members of valves 59 and 60 by transformers 86 and 81.

My invention is particularly well adapted for effecting the intermittent energization of the load circuit and also providing for the flow of lagging power factor current. The features of control which provide this operation will now be described. Energized from the direct current lines, 52, 53 is a parallel type electric valve inverter comprising electric valves 92 and 93. These electric valves are preferably similar to'the valves 59 and 60 and each comprises an envelope containing an ionizable medium such as gas or vapor, an anode 94, a cathode 95, a control member or grid 96, and a shield grid 91. The cathode 95 of valves 92 and 93 are connected together by a cathod bus 98 and through series connected resistors 99 and I00 to the negative line 53 of the direct current control voltage source. The anode of electric valve 92 is connected with the positive line 53 through a resistor NH. The anode of electric valve 93 is connected with the positive line 52 of the direct current control voltage source through resistors I02 and I03 in series. A commutating and also to the cathode bus 98 through a resistor I01, the secondary winding I of a synchronizing transformer I09. The cathode-to-control member circuit of the electric valve 93 is completed through the resistor 99, which impresses a negative bias on the control member, the secondary winding IIO of a transformer III and a current limiting resistor I I2. The primary winding I I3 of the transformer III is connected in the anodecathode circuit of an electric valve II4 which is of the same construction as the electric valves 92 and 93 and comprises an anode I I5, a cathode I I6, a control member or grid H1, and a shield grid II9. One terminal of the transformer primary winding I I3 is connected to the positive terminal 52 of the direct current control voltage source and the other terminal thereof is connected to the anode II5 of valve H4. The cathode H6 is connected to one of a pair of spaced fixed contacts I I9 of an electromagnetic switch I20. A condenser I2I has one electrode thereof connected with the terminal 52 of the direct current circuit and the other terminal thereof connected to the other fixed contact I I9. The switch I20 is also provided with spaced fixed contacts I22 and a movable bridging contact I23 controlled by an operating coil I24 which is energized from one phase of the source I I under the control of a manual switch I25. One of the fixed contacts I22 is connected to the cathode bus 98 through a resistor I26 while the other of the fixed contacts I22 is connected to the same terminal of condenser I2I as one of the fixed contacts H9. The bridging contact I23 is arranged to connect the contacts I22 when the operating coil I24 is deenergized and in this way complete a charging circuit for condenser I2I from the positive line 52 of the direct current circuit through resistors I26, 99 and I00 to the negative line 53 of the direct current circuit. When the coil I24 of switch I20 is energized the contacts I I9 are bridged and the condenser is discharged through the electric valve 5' Shunting the contacts I I9 and I22 of the switch I20 is a series connected manual switch I21 and a variable resistor I28. The circuit of the control member for energizing control member II1 of electric valve H4 is completed through resistor 99, the secondary winding I29 of a synchronizing transformer I30, and a current limiting resistor I3I. The synchronizing transformers I09 and I30 are utilized to produce synchronizing voltage impulses at the frequency supplied to the load circuit, or in other words at the frequency of operation of the inverter comprising electric valves 59 and 60.- The circuits employed for obtaining the peaked voltages are similar to those used for synchronizing the operationof the inverter with the supply circuit. As illustrated, the primary winding I32 of transformer I30 is connected in series with the glow discharge device I32a and across a condenser I33 which is charged in accordance with the voltage across commutating capacitor 08 through an adjustable resistor I34. Similarly, the primary winding I35 of synchrcnizing transformer I09 is connected in series with a glow discharge device I36 and across a condenser I31 which is charged in accordance with the voltage of commutating capacitor 08 through an adjustable resistor I38.

The electric valves 92, 93 and H4 and their associated control circuits provide an electronic timer control which operates to effect intermittent energization of the load circuit with trains of half waves of voltage having the frequency established by the electric valve inverter comprising valves 59 and 90 by controlling the conductivities of electric valves I39 and I40. These latter valves arepreferably of the high vacuum type and each comprises an anode I4I, a cathode I42 and a control member or grid I43. The cathodes of both valves I39 and I are connected to the same cathode bus 64 as valves 59 and 60. The anode I4I of valve I39 is connected to terminal 66 through a resistor 43 while the anode I4I of valve I40 is connected with the terminaifil through resistor 50. Thus, if electric valve I39 is conducting it maintains the group of valves I9, 20 and 2| nonconducting by maintaining a negative voltage across resistors 43, 44 and a portion of resistor 45 in the same manner that conduction of valve 59 maintains the terminal 86 at a negative potential. Similarly, when valve I40 is conducting the group of valves 22, 23, 24 is rendered nonconductive. In this way by controlling the conductivity of valves I39 and I40 it is possible to delay the transfer of current from the valves I9, 20, 2I to the other group 22, 23, 24, for example, beyond that determined by operation of electric valves 59 and and by simultaneously controlling the conductivity of valves I39 and I40 in the same way to cause intermittent energization of the load circuit. To effect the desired control of the electric valves I39 and I40 the control members thereof are energized in accordance with the conductivity of electric valves 92 and 93 and also in accordance with the flow of current through the respective groups of valves I9, 20, 2|, and 22, 23, 24. For example, the control member I43 of electric valve I39 connected through current limiting resistor I44 to one end terminal of the secondary winding 34 of current transformer 32 while the control member I43 of electric valve I40 is connected through a current limiting resistor I45 to the other end terminal of the secondary winding 34. The mid terminal of the-secondary winding 34 is connected to the anode of electric valves 93. Thus when electric valve 93 is conducting the control member to cathode circuit of electric valves I39 and I40 is completed through valve 93, cathode bus 98, resistors 99, I00 and 65. When valve 93 is nonconducting and valve 92 is conducting the circuit is completed from the midpoint of transformer secondary winding 34 through resistors I03, I02, IOI, electric valve 92 and resistors 99, I00 and 65. By proper proportioning of the resistors enumerated above it is possible to render the electric valves I39 and I40 conducting to a substantial degree when electric valve 92 is conducting, since at that time the midpoint of the transformer 34 is raised substantially to the full positive voltage of the line 52. When electric valve 93 is conducting, the midpoint of transformer winding 34 i depressed ubstantially to the voltage of one terminal of resistor 99 which is sufficiently negative to bias the electric valves I39 and I40 substantially to cutoff. It is understood that the proper values of bias under the different conditions of conductivity of valves 92 and 93 is obtained by proper proportioning of the resistance elements enumerated in the circuits of the control members I43 of electric valves I39 and I49. In the above discussion the effect of any voltage'appearing acros the opposite halves of the winding 34 has been neglected. This transformer is included in the control member circuit of the electric valve I34 to provide a source of bias on the control members dependent upon the flow of current in either group of valves. For example, if current is flowing through the group of valves I9, 20, 2I it is desirable that the valves 22, 23, 24 be held oil even though the master inverter operates to render the group of valves 22, 29, 24 conductive. The end terminals of the secondary winding 34 are connected to the control members of valves I39 and I 40 in such a manner that the voltage impressed on the control member of electric valve I40 is positive when valves I 9, 20, and 2I are conducting and in this way the valves 22, 23, 24 are prevented from becoming conductive until the current conducted by valves I9, 20, 2I has ceased to flow. This provision takes care of lagging power factor current as long as the power factor does not become so low as to extend the current for more than 180 degrees referred to the supply line frequency after the last valve of the conducting group is rendered conductive. In the arrangement illustrated in Fig. 3 which will be described at a later point in the specification. provision is made for supplying inverter excitation with respect to the frequency of the supply line voltage so that energy may be transferred between the supply and load circuits under any power factor condition. A voltage maintaining glow discharge devic I49 is connected across the transformer secondary winding 34 to maintain a substantially square voltage wave and permits a step-up transformer to be used so that substantially full controlling influence of the transformer 32 is available so long as any current whatever flows in the load circuit.

Although the operation of some parts of the circuit has been included in the foregoing description, a more complete description of the operation of the system as a whole will serve to bring out more clearly the features and advantages of the present invention. Let it be assumed that "switches I25 and I 21 are in the open position and that the supply line II is energized and the cathodes of all the electric valves are at operating temperature. Under these circumstances the direct current supply lines 52, 53 are energized through the rectifier 54. The application of voltage to the lines 52 and 53 causes electric valve 92 to conduct. Also electric valves 59 and 60 conduct alternately at a frequency dependent upon the resistor capacitor constants of the control circuits associated therewith, as previously described. However, the conduction by electric valve 92 serves to render conductive the valves I39 and I40, which may be termed restraining valves, so that a negative or hold-off voltage is impressed upon the neutral terminals M and 49, respectively, of the groups of valves I9, 20, 2I and 22, 23, 24. If it is desired to initiate a weld the switch I25 is closed. This closes contact I 23 on contacts I I9 and completes a circuit for condenser I2I through the anodecathode circuit of electric valve II4. Condenser I2I has been charged during the time that contact I23 has engaged the fixed contact I22 so that when contacts II9 are closed it tends to discharge through the electric valve H4 and induce a voltage in the transformer winding IIO. In order that the voltage impulse induced in winding IIO be synchronized with the frequency at which it is desired to energize the load circuit the control member I I! of valve H4 is biased negatively by the voltage across the resistor 99 and is rendered positive at a definite time in the low frequency voltage wave appearing across the commutating condenser 99 by means of the peaked voltage periodically induced in winding I29. In this way the time of the voltage impulse in winding IIO determines the time at which the energization of the load circuit is initiated. As

is well understood by those skilled in the art, the instant at which energization of the load circuit is initiated is important with respect to the transient currents which flow and by synchronizing the instant of initiation of energization with the low frequency circuit so that energiz ation always takes place at a definite time, preferably at the power factor angle of the load circuit, it is possible to reduce transients to a minimum. From the description which has preceded, it is apparent that the phase relation of the voltage peak induced in winding I29 with respect to the load circuit may be adjusted by adjusting resistor I34. The voltage induced in winding H0 is positive with respect to the cathode of electric valve 93 and overcomes the bias impressed on the control member 99 thereof by resistor 99 so that the electric valve 93 is rendered conductive immediately following the conduction of electric valve II4. As soon as the control member of electric valve 93 is rendered positive the valve begins to conduct and valve 92 becomes nonconductive due to the operation of the commutating capacitor I04 and the condenser I09 and resistor I05 which function very similar to the capacitor and resistor connected in series with the control members of the valves of the master inverter. That is, when valve 92 starts to conduct the condenser I09 charges through resistor I05 and the anode-cathode circuit of valve 92 and becomes negative so that as soon as electric valve 93 is rendered conductive the current is commutated from valve 92 to valve 93 with the aid of the commutating capacitor I04. When valve 93 starts to conduct the anode is brought to substantially the potential of the cathode bus 99 and the control members of electric valves I39 and I40 consequently are made negative. As previously stated the resistors in the control member-to-cathode circuit of electric valves I39 and I 40 are proportioned so that with electric valve 93 conducting the valves I39 and I40 are biased substantially to cut-oi! and the groups of valves I9, 20, 2I and 22, 23, 24 qe rendered alternately conductive and nonconductive at the frequency determined by the master inverter comprising electric valves 59 and 60. While electric valve 93 is conducting the charge on condenser I09 is reversing and after a predetermined time depending upon the position of the slider on resistor I03 and the magnitude of the capacitor I06 and resistors I05 and I01, becomes sufliciently positive so that a voltage impulse in the secondary winding I09 of the synchronizing transformer I09 is suflicient to render valve 92 conductive. At this time current is commutated from the valve 93 to 92 and both of the restraining valves I39 and I40 are again rendered conductive. In this way the load is deenergized after a time interval dependent upon the period that valve 92 is nonconductive which may be adjusted by adjusting the timing circuit associated with the control member thereof. A system employing a timing circuit similar to that comprising parallel connected electric valves 92 and 93 for effecting the intermittent energization of a load circuit through controlled electric valves is described and claimed in my copending application Serial No. 432,901, filed February 28, 1942, entitled Electric valve control circuit and assigned to the same assignee as the present invent on. Claims covering the subject matter generic to my above identified application and the present application are presented in the earlier filed application. Deenergization of the load is also synchronized with the low frequency by means of the voltage impulse produced by winding I98 sothat complete cycles of the low frequency are supplied to the load circuit. Thus closing switch I25 initiates a period of energization of the load circuit at the low frequency with both beginning and ending of the period of energization being synchronized with the load fre-' quency. If it is desired to seam weld or, in other words, to produce a succession of alternate periods of energization and deenergization of the welding circuit the switch I21 is closed; then when switch I25 is closed, electric valve II4, condenser I2I and the charging circuit therefor op-.

erate as a single tube inverter which produces a periodic impulse in the secondary winding H and thereby periodically render electric valve 93 conductive to initiate periodic energization of the load circuit. As described before, the synchronizing transformer synchronizes the conducting periods of electric valve II4 with the low frequency. The slider on resistance I28 provides means for adjusting the interval between successive welds, or in other words the periods ,of deenergization of the load circuit. As described earlier in the specification the current transformer 32 operates to delay the transfer of current from one group of valves to the other by rendering the restraining valve associated with the incoming group conductive until the current conducted by the outgoing group has decreased substantially to zero.

The magnitude of the voltage impressed on the load circuit, and in the case of a welding circuit the heat, may be adjusted by shifting the phase of the hold-off or restraining voltage with respect to the load circuit, as will be explained in connection with Fig. 3, or as illustrated in Fig. 1, may be controlled by shifting the phase of the excitation potential at the supply frequency by means of phase shifting device 39. This provides means for controlling the magnitude of the load circuit current.

In Fig. 2 I have shown a modification of my invention which is quite similar to that illustrated in Fig. 1 and the same reference numerals have been applied to designate corresponding parts. In the arrangement shown in Fig. 2 the network for synchronizing the operation of the master inverter or frequency determining means is slightly difierent and thecontrol function of electric valve II4 of the arrangement illustrated in Fig. 1 has been incorporated directly in the control member-to-cathode circuit of electric valve 93.

Referrin now to Fig. 2 the master inverter comprising valves 59 and 60 is synchronized with the supply line voltage by a network I41 comprising a delta-connected primary network I48 including in each phase a series connected resistor I49 and capacitor I50. Across the capacitor in each phase is connected in series a glow discharge device I5I and a transformer primary winding I52. Inductively coupled with the transformer windings I52 is a six-phase star con- I nected secondary network I53 having alternate phase terminals connected to the control members 63 of electric valves 59 and 60, respectively, through current limiting resistor I54. The neutral of each star-connected network I53 is connected to the cathode bus 64 through a conductor I 55. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the operation of the synchronizing circuit just described is essentially the same as the synchronizing network utilized in connection with the modification shown in Fig. l.

The electric valves 92 and 93 are connected in a manner similar to that shown in the modification described in Fig. l. The condenser-resistor timing circuit for the valve 93 differs from that shown in Fig. 1 in that one terminal of condenser I06 is connected directly with the anode of tube 93. However, the adjustment for the condenserresistor circuit is provided by means of a variable tap on a resistor I56 which is connected between the cathode bus 98 and positive line 52 of the direct current supply circuit. As previously stated, the control function of the valve I I4 of Fig. 1 is at least partially incorporated directly in the control member-to-cathode circuit of valve 93. Thus the control member-to-cathode circuit of valve 93 is completed through current limiting resistor I3I, synchronizing transformer secondary winding I29, resistor I51 to the negative side 53 of the direct current supply circuit 63 which is connected with the cathode of valve 93 through resistors 99 and I00. Movable contact I23 of switch IZO-bridges fixed contacts I22 when the switch is in the deenergized position and establishes a charging circuit for a condenser I58 through a resistor I59. The condenser I58 and the condenser I59 are charged by the voltage ap' pearing across resistor I00. When switch I25 is in closed position contact I23 moves into engagement with contacts H9 and the voltage of the condenser is impressed across resistor I51 in the control member-to-cathode circuit of electric valve 93.

When switch I25 is in the open position condenser I58 is charged with the upper plate thereof, as illustrated in the drawings, having a positive potential. When switch I25 is closed this voltage is impressed across resistor I57 so that as soon as a synchronizing impulse is induced in transformer I29 the valve 93 is rendered conductive and a period of energization of the load circuit is initiated. Except for the above differences the operation of the modification illustrated in Fig. 2 is substantially the same as the operation of the modification of Fig. 1 and will not be repeated.

In the arrangements thus far described no provision has been made for the transfer of lagging power factor current where the angle of lag is more than degrees referred to the frequency of the supply circuit. Also, in these arrangements control of load circuit voltage has been effected by means of a phase shifting device for shifting the phase of the excitation applied to the main electric valves at the frequency of the supply circuit. It is contemplated, according to the present invention, that the voltage of the load circuit be controlled by shifting the low frequency excitation of the frequency changer or, in other words, to delay the transfer of current from one group of valves to the other to control the effective voltage applied to the load circuit and also to provide for effecting the transfer of energy at any power factor. These two features have been incorporated in the modification shown in Fig. 3. This modification is in general similar to the arrangement of Fig. 1 and the same reference numerals have been applied to corresponding parts.

Referring now to Fig. 3 of the drawings, means for delaying the transfer of current from one group of main electric valves to the other beyond the point which would be established by the restraining valves I39 and I40 and the control circuits associated therewith are provided by additional electric valve means I80 and I6I connected respectively in parallel with electric valves I39 and I40. These valves, like valves I39 and I40 are preferably of the high vacuum type and each comprises an anode I62, a cathode I63 and a. control member or grid I64. In order to delay the transfer of current from one group of valves I9, 20, 2I to the other group of valves 22, 23, 24, beyond the time established by the masterinverter or frequency determining circuit compris- .ing electric valves 59 and 60, the -restraining valves I60 and I8I are controlled in accordance with the current conducted by the two groups of electric valves by means of a circuit designated generally by the numeral I65 and comprising means for producing a voltage which lags the current in transformer 3| by an adjustable amount. As illustrated in the drawings, the substantially square shaped voltage appearing across glow discharge device I46 which is in phase with the current in transformer 32 is impressed on the primary winding of an insulating transformer I88 having a midtapped secondary winding I61. The midtap is connected with the midtap of transformer winding 34 and to a conductor I68 which is periodically brought to a negative potential by operation of the timer control I68 which has been illustrated schematically in Fig. 3 and may for example comprise electric valves 82, 93 and H4 and associated circuits as illustrated in Fig. 1 and described at an earlier point in this specification. The secondary windtransfer current to the other group of main electric valves, it is necessary to render the electric valves successively conductive at the frequency of the supply circuit and at a sufficient time before the impressed anode voltage becomes negative to allow for commutation. That is, it is necessary to supply inverter excitation to the electric valves with respect to the supply circuit II. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment I provide means for supplying peaked excitation in the proper phase relation with reing I81 is connected to energize a glow discharge device I10. As illustrated, each end terminal of the transformer winding I81 is connected to one terminal of the discharge device I10 through a variable resistor HI and a reactor I12. The variable resistors I1I are connected together so that they may be varied simultaneously. As is well understood In the art, this circuit will impress a voltage on the glow discharge device I10 which lags the voltage across discharge device I46 by an amount dependent upon the setting of the variable resistors Hi. The control members I64 of electric valves I60 and I6I are connected respectively with the opposite terminals of the glow discharge device I10 in such a manner that the instantaneous polarity of the voltage impressed on the control members renders the restraining valves I10 and HI selectively conductive to delay the transfer of current from one group of valves I9, 20, 2I to the other group of valves 22, 23, 24 beyond that which would normally be established by the master inverter comprising electric valves 59 and 60. The manner in which valves I60 and I6I function to delay the transfer of current from one group of main electric valves to the other will readily be understood from the description of operation of valves I39 and I40. In this way the transfer of current from one group of valves to the other is delayed in accordance with the setting of the variable resistors HI and is effective to vary the magnitude of the voltage impressed on the load circuit, or in other words, to vary the welding heat.

In order to control the transfer of energy between the supply and load circuit at a power factor causing current to tend to flow for more than 180 degrees referred to the supply circuit after the master inverter has operated to effect spect to the supply circuit for exciting the electric valves for inverter operation by means of a plurality of the transformers I13 to I18 inclusive, each having a primary winding I19 energized from the proper phase of a three phase supply I which, as illustrated, is derived from the supply circuit II through a phase shifting device I8I. In Fig. 4 I have shown schematically the construction of one of the peaking transformers and as illustrated it comprises in addition to the primary winding I19, a secondary winding I82 and a midtapped tertiary or control winding I83. The windings are wound on a core I84 which is provided with a saturable leg I85 and a shunt I86. Windings I82 and I83 are mutually closely coupled and loosely coupled with winding I19.

Referring to Fig. 3, the secondary windings I82 of the transformers I13 to I18 inclusive, are connected respectively in circuit with the control members 28 of the electric valves I9 to 24. The selective application and removal of the voltage peaks furnishing the inverter excitation for the two groups of main electric valves I9, 20, 2| and 22, 23, 24 is effected by periodically short circuiting certain of the tertiary windings I83.

As illustrated in the drawings, means for selectively short circuiting these tertiary windings I88 is provided by the electric valves I81 to I82. Each of the valves is constructed to operate as a full wave rectifier and is connected so that when it is conducting it short circuits both halves of one of the control windings I83. The cathodes of all of the electric valves I81 to I92 are connected together and the direct current circuit of the parallel connected rectifiers comprising windings I83 and electric valves I81 to I92 is short circuited. The cathode bus I93 of these rectifiers is connected to the midpoint of transformer winding 34 through a suitable biasing means such as a battery I84. The circuit of the control member of electric valves I81, I88 and I89 is completed from an end terminal of the transformer winding 34 through a current limiting resistor, while the control member circuit for the valves I90, I9I, I82 is completed from the opposite terminal of transformer winding 34 through the current limiting resistor. Thus,'the cathode to control member circuit of each group of valves I81, I88, I89 and I90, I9 I, I92 includes a source of positive bias in the form of battery I94 and a bias potential depending upon the current flowing in the transformer winding 34 which, as previously explained, is dependent upon which group of main electric valves is conducting current. Battery I94 supplie a positive bias of suflicent magnitude to render the valves I81 to I92 conductive when no current flows in the winding 34. When either group of main electric valves conducts current the poten tial of one terminal of winding 34 is instantaneously positive and the other terminal is negative. The transformer 32 preferably steps the voltage up to such an extent that as soon as appreciable current flows in the primary windin: II thereof the secondary voltage reaches the breakdown voltage of the discharge device I which maintains the bias voltage supplied by the transformer winding 14 constant substantially throughout the variation of load current. This voltage is of a magnitude sufllcient to overcome the positive bias of battery I94 and render nonconductive the group of valves controlled by the terminal of transformer winding 34 which is instantaneously negative. This open circuits the windings I83 and renders one group of transformers such as I13, I14 and I15 effective to supply inverter excitation to the main electric valves I9, 20, 2|. As soon as the current conducted by this group of main electric valves is reduced to zero corresponding valves I91, I88, I89 are rendered conductive by bias battery I94 and the inverter excitation is removed from these valves. Similarly, when valves 22, 23, 24 conduct the valves I90, I9I, I92 are rendered nonconductive and inverter excitation is supplied to the main electric valves 22, 23 and 24 by means of the secondary windings I82 associated with transformers I16, I71 and I18. The magnitude of the voltage peaks impressed on the control members of the electric valves I9, 20, 2I and 22, 23, 24 by means of the secondary windings I82 is sufficient in magnitude to excite the valves for inverter operation independently of the operation of the master inverter comprising electric valves 59 and 60. Thus I provide an arrangement which selectively supplies inverter excitation to the difierent groups of main electric valves in accordance with current flowing in the load circuit.

While I have shown and described particular embodiments of my invention, it will occur to I those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from my invention, and I, therefore, aim in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent oi the United States is:

i. In combination, an alternating current supply circuit, a load circuit, an electric valve frequency changer interconnecting said circuits for supplying an alternating current voltage to said load circuit comprising electric valve means having control electrodes, means for impressing a periodic voltage on said control electrodes to determine the output frequency of said frequency changer, and timing means for modifying said periodic voltage to effect intermittent energizetion oi said load circuit.

2. In combination, an alternating current suply circuit, a load circuit, an electric valve frequency changer interconnecting said circuits comprising a plurality of groups of electric valves connected to supply halt waves of voltage of opposite polarity and of a different frequency than said supply circuit to said load circuit, control electrodes for controlling the conductivity of said groups of electric valves, means for energizing said control electrodes to render said groups of. valves alternately conductive and nonconductive, a timing circuit for modifying the energization of said control electrodes intermittently to render both said groups of valves nonconductive and thereby effect intermittent energization of said load circuit.

3. In combination, an alternating current supply circuit, a load circuit, an electric valve frequency changer interconnecting said circuits and comprising electric valve means having a control electrode, a control circuit for controlling the energization of said control electrode including means for determining the frequency of operation of said frequency changer and means for effecting the intermittent operation of said frequency changer to transmit intermittent impulses to said load circuit, each impulse comprising a plurality of half cycles of current at the output frequency of said frequency changer.

4. Incombination, an alternating current supply circuit, a load circuit, an electric valve frequency changer interconnecting said circuits and comprising electric valve means having control electrodes, means for impressing a periodic voltage on said control electrodes to determine the output frequency of said frequency changer, timing means for modifying said periodic voltage to effect intermittent energization of said load circuit, and means for controlling the operation of said last mentioned means to insure the transfer of complete cycles of low frequency current to said load circuit during each period of energization thereof.

5. In combination, an alternating current supply circuit, a load circuit, an electric valve frequency changer interconnecting said circuits and comprising electric valve means having control electrodes, means for impressing a periodic voltage on said control electrodes to determine the output frequency of said frequency changer, timing means for modifying said periodic voltage to effect intermittent energization of said load circuit, and means for synchronizing said timing means with said periodic voltage to eliminate transient current flow upon initiation of energization of said load circuit.

6. In combination, an alternating current supply circuit, a load circuit, an electric valve fre-' quency changer interconnecting said circuits comprising a plurality of groups of electric valves connected to supply half waves of voltage of opposite polarity to said load circuit, a control circuit for controlling the conductivities of said electric valves including means for maintaining one of said groups of valves conductive and the other of said groups of valves nonconductive and operative periodically to reverse the state of conductivity of said groups of valves to determine the frequency of the alternating voltage impressed on said load circuit, means operative to maintain both of said groups of valves nonconductive and means for rendering said second mentioned means ineffective and thereby initiate energization of said load circuit at the irequency established by said first mentioned means.

7. In combination, an. alternating current supply circuit, a load circuit, an electric valve frequency changer interconnecting said circuits including a plurality of groups of electric valves connected to supply half waves of voltage of opposite polarity to said load, circuit, means for maintaining one of said groups of electric valves conductive and the other of said groups of electric valves nonconductive and operative to reverse periodically the state of conductivity of said groups of valves to determine the frequency of the alternating current supplied to said load circuit, means for periodically rendering both said groups of valves nonconductive independently of the operation of said first mentioned means to deenergize periodically said load circuit, and means for periodically restoring control of said groups of valves to said first mentioned means to energize periodically said load circuit.

8. In combination, an alternating current supply circuit, a load circuit, an electric valve frequency changer interconnecting said circuits comprising a plurality of groups of electric valves connected to supply half waves of voltage of opposite polarity to said load circuit, means for rendering said groups of valves alternately conductive and nonconductive at a frequency lower than the frequency of said supply circuit to determine the frequency of the alternating current supplied to said load circuit, means for rendering both groups of electric valves nonconductive at intervals to eifect periodic deenergization of said load circuit, and means for synchronizing said last mentioned means with the frequency of the alternating current voltage impressed on said load circuit so that the periods of deenergization of said load circuit are synchronized with the voltage of said load circuit.

9. In combination, an alternating current supply circuit, a load circuit, an electric valve frequency changer interconnecting said circuits comprising a plurality of groups of electric valves connected to supply half waves of voltage of opposite polarity to said load circuit, a control circuit for controlling the conductivities of said electric valves including means for maintaining one of said groups of valves conductive and the other of said groups of valves nonconductive and operative periodically to reverse the state of conductivity of said groups of valves to determine the frequency of the voltage impressed on said load circuit, means operative to maintain both of said groups of valves nonconductive, means for rendering said second mentioned means ineffective and thereby initiate energization of said load circuit at the frequency established by said first mentioned means, and means for synchronizing the operation of said third mentioned means with the alternating voltage of said load circuit.

10. In combination, an alternating current supply circuit, a load circuit, an electric valve frequency changer interconnecting said circuits including a plurality of groups of electric valves connected to supply half waves of voltage of opposite polarity to said load circuit, means for maintaining one'of said groups of electric valves conductive and the other of said groups of electric valves nonconductive and operative to reverse periodically the state of conductivity of said .groups of valves to determine the frequency of .ply circuit, a load circuit, an electric valve frequency changer interconnecting said circuits and comprising a plurality of groups of electric valves connected to supply half waves of voltage of opposite polarity to said load circuit, a control circuit for controlling the conductivities of said electric valves including means for maintaining one of said groups of valves conductive and the other of said groups of valves nonconductive and operative periodically to reverse the state of conductivity of said groups of valves to determine the frequency of the voltage impressed on said 15 load circuit, means operative periodically to maintain both of said groups of valves nonconductive, and means for synchronizing the operation of said last mentioned means with the frequency established by said first mentioned means to insure the supply of complete half cycles of current to said load circuit and to minimize transient current flow upon initiation of a period of energization of said load circuit.

12. In combination, an alternating current supply circuit, a load circuit, an electric valve frequency changer interconnecting said circuits comprising a plurality of groups of electric valves connected to supply half waves of voltage of opposite polarity to said load circuit. control electrodes for controlling the conductivities of said electric valves, means for energizing said control electrodes to control the frequency of the alternating current supplied to said load circuit, means for supplying a component of voltage to said control members to render all said valves intermittently nonconductive to eflect intermittent energization of said load circuit, and means for impressing a component of voltage on said control electrodes of said electric valves to control the instant in the voltage wave of said alternating current supply circuit that the valves of each of said groups become conductive to control the voltage impressed on said load circuit.

13. In combination, an alternating current supply circuit, a load circuit, an electric valve frgquency changer interconnecting said circuits comprising a plurality of groups of electric valves connected to supply half waves of voltage of opposite polarity to said load circuit, a control circuit for controlling the conductivities of said electric valves to effect the transfer of energy to said load circuit at a frequency lower than the frequency of said supply circuit, means for producing a periodic voltage depending upon the current conducted by the different groups of said valves, means for variably displacing said periodic voltage with respect to the current conducted by said valves, and means for controlling the conductivities of said groups of valves in accordance with said displaced voltage to vary the effective voltage impressed on' said load circuit.

14. In combination, an alternating current supply circuit, a load circuit, an electric valve frequency changer interconnecting said circuits comprising a plurality of groups of electric valves connected to supply half waves of voltage of opposite polarity to said load circuit, a control circuit for controlling the conductivities of said electric valves to effect the transfer of energy to said load circuit at a frequency lower than the frequency of said supply circuit, means for producing a substantially square top voltage responsive to the current conducted by the different groups of said valves, means for displacing said square top voltage with respect to the current conducted by said valves, and means for controlling the conductivities of said groups of valves in accordance with said displaced square top voltage to vary the effective voltage impressed on said load circuit.-

15. In combination, an alternating current other at a frequency lower than the frequency of said supply circuit, and means including a glow discharge device selectively responsive to the current conducted by the different groups of electric valves to render one group of valves conductive only after the current conducted by the preceding group of valves has been reduced substantially to zero.

16. In combination, an alternating current supply circuit, a load circuit, electric translating apparatus interconnecting said circuits comprising a plurality of groups of electric valves connected to supply half waves of voltage of opposite polarity to said load circuit, means for rendering the valves of each of said groups successively conductive at the frequency of said alternating current supply circuit, means for rendering said groups of valves alternately conductive and nonconductive to determine the frequency of the alternating current supplied to said load circuit, means for synchronizing said last mentioned means with the voltage of said supply circuit to maintain the desired wave shape of said low frequency current.

17. In combination, an alternating current supply circuit, a load circuit, an electric valve frequency changer interconnecting said circuits for supplying an alternating-current voltage to said load circuit of lower frequency than the frequency of said supply circuit and including a plurality of electric valve means each having a,

control electrode, means for controlling the energization of said control electrodes to determine the frequency of the alternating current voltage supplied to said load circuit by said valve frequency changer, and means for synchronizing said last mentioned means with the voltage of said supply circuit.

18. In combination, an alternating current supply circuit, a load circuit having no frequency determining electrical apparatus connected thereto, an electric valve frequency changer interconnecting said circuits including a plurality of electric valve means each having a control electrode, and means for energizing said control electrodes to determine the frequency of the voltage supplied to said load circuit by said electric valve frequency changer comprising an electronic oscillation generator.

19. In combination, an alternating current supply circuit, a load circuit, an electric valve frequency changer interconnecting said circuits comprising a plurality of groups of electric valves connected to supply half waves of voltage of opposite polarity to said load circuit, a control circuit for determining the frequency of the voltage impressed on said load circuit by controlling the transfer of current fromcone of said groups of valves to the other comprising control voltage producing means including an auxiliary electric valve having a control member and a timing circuit for energizing the control member of said auxiliary electric valve to determine the periodicity of the control voltage produced by said means.

20. In combination, an alternating current supply circuit, a' load circuit, an electric valve frequency changer interconnecting said circuits comprising a plurality of groups of electric valves connected to supply half waves of voltage of opposite polarity to said load circuit, a control circuit for determining the frequency of the voltage impressed on said load circuit by controlling the transfer of current from one of said groups of valves to the other comprising control voltage prod cing means including an auxiliary electric valv aving a control member and a timing circuit for energizing the control member of said auxiliary electric valve to determine the periodicity of th control voltage produced by said means, said timing circuit including a resistance element and a capacitance element and means for varying the magnitude of one of said elements to adjust the frequency of the voltage supplied to said load circuit.

21. In combination, an alternating current supply circuit, a load circuit, electric valve translating apparatus interconnecting said circuits comprising a plurality of groups of electric valves connected to supply half waves of voltage of opposite polarity to said load circuit, a control member for controlling the conductivity of each of said valves, an excitation circuit for the control members of each of said groups of valves for energizing said control members, an electric valve inverter comprising a pair of parallel electric paths, a source of direct current voltage for energizing said inverter, impedance means in each of said parallel paths, means connecting the impedance means in one of said paths in one of said excitation circuits and the other of said impedance means in the other of said excitation circuits so that a periodic voltage appearing across one of said impedance means due to operation of said inverter appears in the excitation circuit of one of said groups of valves, said voltage having a polarity to render said groups of valves nonconducting, and means for controlling the frequency of operation of said inverter to control the transfer of current from one of said groups of valves to the other thereby to control the frequency of the current supplied to saidload circuit.

22. In combination, an alternating current supply circuit, a load circuit, electric valve translating apparatus interconnecting said circuits comprising two groups of electric valves connected to supply half waves of voltage of opposite polarity to said load circuit, control means associated with each of said electric valves and an energizing circuit for energizing said control means comprising a source of periodic voltage having the frequency of said alternating current supply circuitfor rendering the valves of each of said groups successively conductive at the frequency of said alternating current supply circuit, an impedance connected in the control circuit of each of said groups of valves, a control electric valve in series with each of said impedances, a source of voltage connected across said impedances and said control electric valves, said control electric valves being poled with respect to said impedances and their connections with the control circuits of said groups of electric valves so that a hold-off voltage appears across either of said impedances when the control electric valve in series therewith is conducting, and means for rendering said control electric valves alternately conductive and nonconductive to determine the frequency at which current is transferred between said groups of valves.

23. In combination, an alternating current supply circuit, a load circuit, an electric valve frequency changer interconnecting said circuits comprising a plurality of groups of electric valves connected to supply half waves of voltage of opposite polarity to said load circuit, a control member associated with each of the valves of each group for controlling the conductivity thereof, an impedance element connected in circuit with the control members associated with each group of electric valves, and means for alternately impressing a control voltage across the impedance element associated with each group of electric valves comprising a pair of parallel electric circuits each having a controlled electric valve therein, and a timing circuit for controlling said last mentioned electric valves to effect the periodic transfer of current from one said parallel paths to the other to determine the periodicity of the control voltage impressed on each of said impedance elements, said timing circuit including a variable impedance element and means for varying the magnitude of said impedance element to determine the frequency of the alternating current voltage impressed on said load circuit.

24. In combination, an alternating current supply circuit, a load circuit, an electric valve frequency changer interconnecting said circuits comprising a plurality of groups of electric valves connected to supply half waves of voltage of opposite polarity to said load circuit, a source of control voltage, parallel electric paths energized from said source of control voltage, an impedance element and an auxiliary electric valve con.- nected in series in each of said paths, a timing circuit for controlling the conductivities of said electric valves to render said valves alternately conductive and nonconductive at a definite periodicity to produce periodic voltages across the impedance elements or said parallel paths, a control circuit for each of said groups of electric valves including an impedance element of one of said parallel electric paths for alternately rendering said groups of electric valves nonconductive at the periodicity of operation of said auxiliary valves, electric valve means connected in parallel with said auxiliary electric valves, means for controlling said last mentioned electric valve means to render both said groups of electric valves nonconductive independently of the operation of the auxiliary electric valve means in said parallel electric paths.

25. In combination, an alternating current supply circuit, a load circuit, an electric valve frequency changed interconnecting said circuits comprising a plurality of groups of electric valve means connected to supply half waves of voltage of opposite polarity to said load circuit, a source of control voltage, means including a pair of parallel electric paths energized from said source of control voltage for carrying a periodic voltage, means for controlling the conductivities of said groups of electric valves in accordance with said periodic voltage to determine the frequency of alternating current supplied to said load circuit, an electric valve including a control member connected in parallel with at least a portion of each of said parallel paths, and timing means for rendering said electric valves simultaneously conductive periodically to modify said periodic voltage and render both said groups of electric valve means nonconductive simultaneously to effect intermittent deenergization of said load circuit under the control of said timing means.

26. In combination, an alternating current supply circuit, a load circuit, an electric valve frequency changer interconnecting said circuits comprising a plurality of groups of electric valve means connected to supply half waves of voltage of opposite polarity to said load circuit, control electrodes for controlling the conductivities of said groups of electric valve means, a source of direct current control voltage, a pair of parallel electric paths encrgized from said source of control voltage, means for controlling the conduction of said electric paths to generate a periodic voltage, means for impressing said periodic voltage on said control electrodes to render said groups of electric valve means alternately conductive and nonconductive, an electric valve including a control member connected "in parallel with at least a portion of each of said parallel electric paths, means for controlling the energization of the control members of said last mentioned electric valves to effectively displace said periodic voltage to delay the transfer of current from one of said groups of electric valve means to the other, and means for controlling the amount of displacement of said periodic voltage.

27. In combination, an alternating current supply circuit, a load circuit, an electric valve frequency changer interconnecting saidcircults and including electric valve means having control electrodes, means for energizing said control electrodes with a voltage to render said electric valve means nonconductive to 'deenergize said load circuit comprising a source of direct current and an electric valve connected for energization therefrom and normally maintained in a conducting state, means comprising a second electric valve connected in parallel with said first electric valve, means for commutating the current of said first electric valve to said second electric valve to render the electric valve means of said frequency changer conductive to initiate a period of energization of said load circuit, and a timing circuit operative upon initiation of conduction of said second electric valve to render said first electric valve again conductive after a predetermined interval of time.

28. In combination, an alternating current supply circuit, a load circuit, electric valve means interconnecting said circuits including a control electrode, means for effecting the intermittent energization of said load circuit by controlling the conductivlties of said electric valve means comprising a source of direct current voltage, a pair of electric paths connected to be energized from said source of direct current voltage and each comprising an electric valve and an impedance element, means for controlling the conductivities of said electric valve means in accordance with the conductivity of the electric valves of said parallel paths comprising an electrical connection with a terminal of one of said parallel paths having a voltage intermediate the terminals of said direct current supply, means for controlling one of said electric valves to render it initially conductive to maintain said electric valve means nonconducting, a circuit for initiating conduction of the other of said parallel electric valves to initiate a period of energizetion of said load circuit comprising an initiating switch, and a timing circuit for rendering said one of said valves again conductive at the end of a predetermined interval.

29. In combination, an alternating current supply circuit, a load circuit, electric translating apparatus interconnecting said circuits comprising a plurality of groups of electric valves connected to supply half waves of voltage of opposite polarity to said load circuit, a control electrode for controlling the conductivity of each of said valves, a control circuit for energizing said control members comprising means for impressing a periodic voltage at the frequency of said supply circuit on all said control members to excite said valves for rectifier operation, means for impressing a periodic voltage on said control members of a magnitude sufficient to overcome periodically the rectifier excitation on alternate groups of said valves, and means for supplying inverter excitation to said control members at the frequency of said supply circuit, said inverter excitation having a magnitude sufficient to excite said valves for inverter operation independently of said last mentioned periodic voltage.

30. In combination, an alternating current supply circuit, a load circuit, electric translating apparatus interconnecting said circuits comprising a plurality of groups of electric valves connected to supply half waves of voltage of opposite polarity to said load circuit, electrodes for controlling the conductivity of each of said valves, a control circuit for energizing said control electrodes comprising means for impressing a periodic voltage of the frequency of said supply circuit on all said control members to excite said valves for rectifier operation, means for,impressing a periodic voltage on said control membersof a magnitude sufficient to overcome periodically the rectifier excitation on alternate groups of said valves, means for supplying inverter excitation to said control electrodes at the frequency of said supply circuit, and means comprising electric -yalve means for selectively removing the inverter excitation from the groups of electric valves in accordance with the current supplied by each group of electric valves.

31. A system for supplying current to weld a material comprising a welding transformer having a secondary winding connected to supply current to the material and a primary winding, a source of alternating current,'an electric valve frequency changer interconnecting said primary winding and said source of alternating current and including a plurality of electric valve means, control electrodes for controlling the conductivities of said electric valve means, and means for energizing said control electrodes to control the frequency and the magnitude of the current supplied to the material by said secondary winding.

32. A system for supplying current to weld a material comprising a welding transformer having a secondary winding connected to supply current to the material and a primary winding, a source of alternating current, an electric valve frequency changer interconnecting said primary winding and said source of alternating current and including a plurality of electric valve means, control electrodes for controlling the conductivities of said electric valve means, and means for energizing said control electrodes to control the frequency of the current supplied to the material by said secondary winding.

33. A system for supplying current to weld a material comprising a single phase welding transformer having a secondary winding connected to supply current to the material and a primary winding, a polyphase alternating current supply circuit, an electric valve frequency changer including a plurality of electric valve means interconnecting said polyphase supply circuit and the primary winding of said welding transformer so that the single phase energy transferred to said welding transformer is a distributed load on said polyphase supply circuit, control electrodes for controlling the conductivities of said electric valve Ill means, and means for controlling the energization of said control electrodes to determine the frequency of the current supplied to the primary winding of said welding transformer.

34. A system for supplying current to weld a material comprising a welding transformer having a secondary winding connected to supply current to the material and a primary winding,

a source of alternating current, an electric valve frequency changer interconnecting said primary winding and said source of alternating current and including a plurality of electric valve means, control electrodes for controlling the conductivities of said electric valve means, means for energizing said control electrodes to control the frequency of the alternating current supplied to said Welding transformer, and mea s for supplying additional excitation to said control electrodes to determine the instant in the voltage wave of said supply circuit that said electric valve means are rendered conductive to control the magnitude of the current supplied to the material by said secondary winding.

'35. A system for supplying current to weld a material comprising a welding transformer having a secondary winding connected to supply current to said material and a primary winding, an alternating current supply circuit, an electric valve frequency changer interconnecting said supply circuit and the primary winding of said transformer, said frequency changer including a plurality of electric valvemeans having control electrodes for controlling the conductivities thereof, means for energizing said control electrodes to determine the frequency of the current supplied to the primary winding of said welding transformer, and timing means for modifying the energization of said control electrodes to effect intermittent energization of said welding transformer with current impulses having a duration dependent upon the operation of said timing means.

36. A system for supplying current to Weld a material comprising a single phase welding transformer having a secondary winding connected to supply current to the material and a primary winding, a polyphase source of alternating current, an electric valve frequency changer interconnecting said source and the primary winding of said welding transformer to transmit current from said polyphase source to said single phase transformer thereby to distribute the single phase load among the phases of said polyphase source, control electrodes for controlling the conductivities of said electric valve means, means for energizing said control electrodes to control the frequency of the alternating current supplied to said load circuit, means for supplying a control voltage to said control electrodes having the frequency of said supply circuit for determining the instant in the voltage of said supply circuit that said electric valve means are rendered conductive, and means for modifying said last mentioned voltage to control the magnitude of the current supplied to the material by said welding transformer.

3'7. A system for supplying current to welding material comprising a single phase welding transformer having a secondary winding connected to supply current to the material and a primary winding, a source of polyphase alternating current, an electric valve frequency changer interconnecting said source and the primary winding of said welding transformer and including a plurality of electric valve means, control electude of the current supplied to said welding transformer, means for modifying said last mentioned excitation voltage to vary the instant in the voltage wave of said source that said valve means are rendered conductive to vary the magnltude o! the current supplied to said welding transformer, and timing means for controlling the energization 01 said control electrodes to render all or said electric valve means intermittently nonconductive to eiiect intermittent energization of said welding transformer.

ORRIN W. LIVINGSTON 

